The Premier Name in NYC Commercial Real Estate

NYC Premier Price Specialist
Office Properties, Apartment Buildings & Development Sites

Bob Knakal, a renowned sales broker, has been a pivotal figure in the New York City investment property market since 1984. He was most recently head of the Private Capital Group at JLL in New York and is recognized for brokering a record-breaking 2,252 property sales in the city. 

Bob's journey in real estate began in 1984 at CB Richard Ellis, where he met Paul J. Massey Jr. Four years later, they co-founded Massey Knakal Realty Services, which became New York's leading building sales firm. Under their leadership, the firm closed over 6,000 transactions valued at more than $23 billion from 1988 to 2014.

In 2014, Cushman & Wakefield acquired Massey Knakal. Bob then served as Chairman of New York Investment Sales at Cushman & Wakefield, where he was the top originating investment sales broker for three years running.

Bob also contributes to the Commercial Observer with his weekly column, "Concrete Thoughts," which he has been writing since 2009.

A Wharton School of Business graduate, Bob has been recognized for his outstanding achievements in the New York City business community, including being named to Crain’s New York Business’s Forty Under Forty list in 1999 and winning the Real Estate Board of New York’s Robert T. Lawrence Award twice.


Mapping Opportunities: Bob Knakal's Innovative Approach During the Pandemic

While many were navigating the challenges of home confinement during the global pandemic, real estate titan Bob Knakal was charting a different course. He took to the streets of New York City, crafting a comprehensive development site map that would revolutionize the industry.

In a recent YouTube video, "The Map of All Maps - Bob Knakal Shares How He Maximized his Time During the Pandemic," Bob unveils the story of how he turned the lockdown into an opportunity.

Throughout the pandemic, Bob made regular trips to NYC every 7 to 10 days. He drove and walked around, scrutinizing all buildings in Manhattan south of 96th street. A task that would typically take 800-1000 hours was accomplished in just 220 hours, thanks to the city's shutdown.

Bob's efforts led to the documentation of an astonishing 27,649 buildings, encompassing both ongoing development sites and potential ones. He used tax maps and highlighters to track each site, culminating in an extensive Sanborn map that measures 27 feet by 12 feet.

This fully highlighted map is more than a symbol of Bob's commitment and diligence. It's a vast repository of information that Bob intends to transform into lucrative opportunities, reinforcing his status as a key player in the real estate sector.

For more about Bob Knakal and his ventures, explore his portfolio on JLL or connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Keep an eye out for more updates and insights from the dynamic NYC real estate scene.

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